The Warning Signs and Symptoms of Stroke.
The Warning Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
Strokes are more common, and just as serious, as you think. It is one of the leading causes of disability and death. It is important to know the warning signs and body language that suggest someone may be experiencing a stroke.
If you didn't know already, a stroke is the rapid loss of brain function due to a disturbance in blood supply to the brain. A stroke is a serious medical emergency that can cause permanent neurological damage and even death. The risk factors for stroke include old age, high blood pressure, previous strokes, diabetes, high cholesterol and tobacco smoking. Strokes are currently the second leading cause of death worldwide.
So what are the warning signs?
It is crucial to know the warning signs for strokes because the sooner they are treated and addressed, the less chance that there will be serious damage to the brain. Stroke symptoms can develop gradually, but usually the symptoms appear rather suddenly and without warning. Stroke symptoms include:
-Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg and especially on one side of the body
-Sudden confusion or trouble understanding other people
-Trouble speaking or a sudden slurring of words when an individual typically does not have difficulty with speech
-Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
-Trouble walking, staying balanced or coordinated. This, together with the sudden pain, are usually why some people affected by stroke will suddenly fall down
-Dizziness or light-headedness
-Severe headaches that come on for no apparent reason
There are also various kinds of strokes that you should be aware of:
Ischemic Stroke: This kind of stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked for a variety of reasons, most common being a sudden blood clot.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: This is a very serious form of stroke because it occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): This is considered a 'mini stroke', usually from a temporary blockage. TIA does not cause permanent damage to the brain, but it may cause some of the stroke warning signs listed above, some of which may last anywhere from minutes to hours. These are warning signs that you should not ignore.
What should you do if you or a loved one has symptoms?
-Don't ignore the warning signs: even if you have only one of the warning signs consult a doctor or hospital immediately
-Don't wait because every minute counts!
-Call emergency services if you or a loved one experiences one or more of the symptoms within a few minutes
-Check the time when the symptoms begin so that you can share this information when you arrive at the hospital. more
Strokes are more common, and just as serious, as you think. It is one of the leading causes of disability and death. It is important to know the warning signs and body language that suggest someone may be experiencing a stroke.
If you didn't know already, a stroke is the rapid loss of brain function due to a disturbance in blood supply to the brain. A stroke is a serious medical emergency that can cause permanent neurological damage and even death. The risk factors for stroke include old age, high blood pressure, previous strokes, diabetes, high cholesterol and tobacco smoking. Strokes are currently the second leading cause of death worldwide.
So what are the warning signs?
It is crucial to know the warning signs for strokes because the sooner they are treated and addressed, the less chance that there will be serious damage to the brain. Stroke symptoms can develop gradually, but usually the symptoms appear rather suddenly and without warning. Stroke symptoms include:
-Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg and especially on one side of the body
-Sudden confusion or trouble understanding other people
-Trouble speaking or a sudden slurring of words when an individual typically does not have difficulty with speech
-Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
-Trouble walking, staying balanced or coordinated. This, together with the sudden pain, are usually why some people affected by stroke will suddenly fall down
-Dizziness or light-headedness
-Severe headaches that come on for no apparent reason
There are also various kinds of strokes that you should be aware of:
Ischemic Stroke: This kind of stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked for a variety of reasons, most common being a sudden blood clot.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: This is a very serious form of stroke because it occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): This is considered a 'mini stroke', usually from a temporary blockage. TIA does not cause permanent damage to the brain, but it may cause some of the stroke warning signs listed above, some of which may last anywhere from minutes to hours. These are warning signs that you should not ignore.
What should you do if you or a loved one has symptoms?
-Don't ignore the warning signs: even if you have only one of the warning signs consult a doctor or hospital immediately
-Don't wait because every minute counts!
-Call emergency services if you or a loved one experiences one or more of the symptoms within a few minutes
-Check the time when the symptoms begin so that you can share this information when you arrive at the hospital. more
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Thank you Raja Chandra Ji, for very good information about the stroke, its probable reasons and symptoms. Very helpful to the common man. more
Jan 18
Thank you Prof. Umesh. 90 % of Strokes are Blockages of Blood Flow to the Brain. A doctor has advised that the first aid is very important apart From reaching the Hospital without any Delay. It is advisable to keep at your Bedside soluble Disprin. Dissolve it and Take it immediately as an abundant caution. It opens up the Blockage temporaily. Disprin is contra indicated in Aneurysm of the Brain. more
Jan 18
Very good & comprehensive post Sir. One more symptom could be acute/sudden memory loss. People with high BP, cholesterol, diabetes, heavy smoking, should be more careful and take medicines as advised by the doctors including blood thinners. Yoga and Pranayam would also be quite helpful. Steam bath and hot water foot bath with mild cold wet towel on head will also regularize the blood flow to brain and entire body, somewhat helpful in alleviation of brain stroke/heart attack. In case of brain stroke reaching to appropriate doctor immediately without waiting is essential to stop/reduce permanent damage to brain/paralysis. more
Jan 18
